Wheaton senior Matt Snebold named as a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy

Wheaton, Ill. - Wheaton College senior Matt Snebold has been recognized as one of 10 semifinalists for the 2015 Gagliardi Trophy given to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III by Jostens and the J-Club of Saint John's University of Minnesota. The group of semifinalists is comprised of nine seniors and one junior.

The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993, recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, Saint John's (Minn.) legendary Hall of Fame head football coach who retired in 2012 with 489 career victories.

Snebold is a two-time First Team All-CCIW honoree at left tackle for the Thunder. A senior Business/Economics major at Wheaton, he owns a 3.65 cumulative grade point average and is slated to graduate in December.

A three-year starter on the Wheaton offensive line, Snebold has not allowed a sack in the 2014 or 2015 seasons. A preseason All-American selection in 2015 by D3football.com he also earned All-North Region recognition from the website in 2014. A team captain for the Thunder this season, Snebold has been an integral part of Wheaton's two consecutive 10-0 regular season campaigns in 2014 and 2015. The Thunder tackle has been a key part of a Wheaton offense that averages 470.5 yards per game with 246.1 yards per game on the ground and 224.5 passing yards per game. Wheaton entered the playoffs ranked 24th in Division III in total offense and 28th in rushing thanks in large part to the Thunder offensive line.

Joining Snebold as finalists for the award are: Joe Callahan, Wesley; Alex Kocheff, Mount Union; Kodie McNamara, Gettysburg; Matt Pawlowski, Guilford; Jessie Ramos, Hardin-Simmons; Logan Schrader, Wartburg; David Simmet, St. Thomas (Minn.); Sam Sura, Saint John's (Minn.) and Dayton Winn, Hendrix.

Seven of the 10 semifinalists played Nov. 21 in the first round of the Division III national playoffs: Callahan, Kocheff, Ramos, Simmet, Snebold, Sura and Winn. The candidates included six quarterbacks, four wide receivers, three running backs, two offensive linemen, one defensive lineman, one linebacker and one safety.

The 23rd annual Gagliardi Trophy will be presented on Wednesday, Dec. 16, in Salem, Va., at a banquet kicking off the Division III championship weekend, which culminates in the Stagg Bowl on Friday, Dec. 18. The four finalists, who will be announced Dec. 8, will be on hand for the announcement of the winner and presentation of the trophy at the banquet.

Candidates are nominated by their college president. Nominations were submitted by 18 colleges across the country. The final 10 were selected by the J-Club Board of Directors.

The Gagliardi Trophy national-selection committee is comprised of 40 former small college football players, former Gagliardi Trophy recipients, business leaders, academicians and sports writers from around the country. Each casts a ballot ranking the 10 semifinalists. A fan vote, which will serve as the 41st committee member, will be launched on D3football.com Nov. 23 and run until Monday, Dec. 7. Wheaton fans can vote here

Originally published by Wheaton College Athletics: /news/2015/11/23/FB_1122152946.aspx